Sage CRM

Ok, my head is hurting over trying to figure out what I am going to need to install CRM 7.1 on the office server so that I can use it internally and perhaps even have something to demonstrate. I currently have ONE server running SBS 2003 SP2. It is an HP with Intel Xeon 3050 processor @ 2.13 GHz with 3 GB of RAM. It serves my needs currently! I will try to load CRM 7.1 on it and see where it goes. It appears that I will also need to load SQL 2005 or 2008 on it. Reading the fine print of the CRM SPM, it also appears that if I want to use the Outlook integration, I will have to load Exchange. Do I have a correct understanding? Is there any way to get Outlook integration without Exchange? This seems like a lot of overhead to run the CRM application, but maybe I've been using Act for too long......... Any feedback is appreciated.

So many questions to answer... 1. I recommend you install MS SQL 2008 (or even MS SQL 2005 - but why install the older product?) but you don't need to. You can install the MS SQL Server Express version that comes with Sage CRM - this is not recommended though for a bunch of reasons. 2. What types of things are you looking to integrate with Outlook? What is your objective with Outlook integration? We use Outlook clients with GMail Server at Azamba with no problems. 3. Yes - there is some overhead to run SageCRM but it's really minimal compared to other systems (ex. SalesLogix). And frankly... once MAS is running MS SQL Server, that is one more checkbox that would already been checked pre-CRM install. 4. There is no reason your current server can't meet your needs. The only ""catch"" is that SBS 2003 SP2 is not supported. So... if you run into problems, Sage won't support your install. But... what do you have to lose installing it? 5. It typically takes around 2 - 3 hours - max - to get SageCRM up and running and configured. That's a pretty damn low-cost install.

I have no clue as to what my objectives with the Outlook integration would be? At this point, I would just like to get it up and running. In my discussions with you, CRM will kick some butt (hopefully, not mine). Why do they require Exchange if the Outlook clients will suffice? What functionality would I not have by not loading Exchane?

I have no idea why it is telling you to integrate with Exchange. It's not necessary at all.

The plot thickens. Exerpts from the most recent SPM. It may change in the final release...........